YouTube drama has always been part of the platform’s DNA. Some beefs stay online, others go real life, and a few even get legal.
Whether it’s fiery exchanges, diss tracks, or even boxing matches, these feuds have captured millions of views and tons of attention. Here are seven of the most legendary beefs in YouTube history.
1. Gordon Ramsay vs. That Vegan Teacher (January 2021)
It all began when That Vegan Teacher, a controversial advocate for veganism, decided to pick a fight with none other than Gordon Ramsay. On January 20th, 2021, she accused the world-renowned chef of not understanding the difference between animals and food. Ramsay, known for his sharp wit, initially ignored her antics. However, Katie Karen Diekman (aka That Vegan Teacher) wasn’t one to give up easily.
She took things up a notch by releasing a song targeting Ramsay, which finally elicited a response from the chef. Ramsay clapped back with humor, but Diekman kept pushing, even comparing Ramsay to Hitler in an attempt to escalate the beef. Ramsay chose to keep quiet afterward, but not before making it clear that nothing would sway his support for the meat industry. This beef was all about online noise, but it never really spilled into anything more serious.
2. KSI vs. Logan Paul (February 2018)
When KSI, one of the biggest British YouTubers, called out Logan Paul for a boxing match on February 3rd, 2018, it sparked a feud that would go down in YouTube history. The challenge wasn’t initially accepted by Logan, but after 18 days of silence, he finally agreed. The two YouTubers exchanged blows, both verbally and physically, culminating in a boxing match on August 25th, 2018, which ended in a draw.
The draw only fueled the rivalry, leading to a rematch over a year later where KSI emerged victorious. Surprisingly, this heated beef ended on a positive note, with the two eventually burying the hatchet and launching the energy drink Prime together. This feud is a classic example of turning internet drama into a profitable venture.
3. James Charles vs. Tati Westbrook (April 2019)
In 2016, a young makeup artist named James Charles formed a close bond with established beauty vlogger Tati Westbrook. However, by April 22nd, 2019, that relationship had soured, leading to one of the most explosive beefs in the beauty community. James promoted a product from a competitor to Tatiโs brand, leading her to publicly accuse him of being a sexual predator in her now-deleted video, “Bye Sister.”
James responded with his side of the story, which brought many people back to his side. However, the real bombshell dropped when Tati admitted a year later that the entire drama had been fueled by lies and manipulation from other YouTubers, Shane Dawson and Jeffree Star. Although the accusations were damaging, the beef never escalated beyond the online realm.
4. Sneako vs. Penguinz0 (2020-2023)
What started as a debate over the controversial Netflix film “Cuties” escalated into a near-physical altercation between Sneako and Penguinz0 (aka Charlie). The drama began in 2020 when Sneako defended the film against criticism from Charlie. The feud took a darker turn in 2023 when Sneako attacked Charlie’s girlfriend on stream. Charlie’s response was swift and biting, leading to a heated exchange that nearly turned physical.
In one of the most famous moments of this beef, Charlie schooled Sneako on firearm terminology, turning the tables and asserting dominance. Realizing he was outmatched, Sneako quickly backed down and apologized. This beef stands out as one that came dangerously close to crossing the line from online drama to real-world violence.
5. Jake Paul vs. Alissa Violet (February 2017)
Jake Paul and Alissa Violet were once one of YouTubeโs favorite couples, known for their playful chemistry. However, their relationship imploded in February 2017 when Alissa announced that Jake had kicked her out of his house. What followed was a messy public breakup, with accusations of infidelity flying from both sides.
Jake released a diss track targeting Alissa, which prompted her to spill the tea on their relationship. She claimed that Jake had been unfaithful multiple times, which Jake tried to downplay. Despite the drama, Alissa moved on, leaving the toxicity of Team 10 behind. This feud was a reminder that not everything online is as perfect as it seems.
6. Coffeezilla vs. Logan Paul (December 2022)
Logan Paul found himself in hot water once again when YouTubeโs most famous scam exposer, Coffeezilla, targeted his crypto project, CryptoZoo. On December 17th, 2022, Coffeezilla exposed the project as a massive scam, where investors couldnโt play or cash out. This led to widespread outrage, with Coffeezilla demanding Logan refund those affected.
Loganโs initial response was defensive, threatening legal action against Coffeezilla. However, he later backtracked, promising a $1.3 million refund plan, which didnโt satisfy most investors. The drama escalated further when Logan filed a defamation lawsuit against Coffeezilla in June 2024, a clear sign that this beef is far from over.
7. PewDiePie vs. T-Series (August 2018 – April 2019)
In August 2018, PewDiePie, then the most subscribed YouTuber, found his throne threatened by Indian music channel T-Series. What followed was a battle for subscribers that became a cultural phenomenon. PewDiePieโs fans rallied behind him, but T-Series eventually overtook him in March 2019.
PewDiePie congratulated T-Series with a diss track, but the rivalry took a dark turn when it became associated with a tragic event in Christchurch. Recognizing the negative impact, PewDiePie called for an end to the “Subscribe to PewDiePie” meme. This marked the end of a beef that had captivated the internet and resulted in real-world consequences.
These beefs have shown that YouTube drama is not just entertainmentโit’s a high-stakes game where reputations, careers, and even lives can be on the line. From humorous exchanges to legal battles, these feuds will be remembered as some of the most iconic in YouTube history.
